Advent and Resentment

Resentment is defined in the dictionary as "bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly." Advent and Christmas spotlight resentment in some people's lives. The material aspects of the season tempt them to seethe. This has always been a part of the story of Advent. Herod resented the prophetic buzz that surrounded the birth of Christ. It threatened to invalidate his own glorious reign as king. Matthew 2 records his feelings and actions. He "was disturbed." He "gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under..."

Resentment kills.

The key to resentment is our interpretation of fair treatment. If we believe that we are not getting something we should get or are getting something we should not get, then we have a choice. It's a choice between acceptance or resentment. If we accept a situation for what it is, we often are able to change it for the better. In fact, no change happens until facts are accepted. If we resent a situation, we are powerless to deal with it except by destruction.

I find that resentment can be controlled with God's help. His birth, death, and resurrection work together to transform our idea of what is fair. His Spirit shows us that resentment requires lies. We have to invest ourselves in lies to reap the harvest of resentment. It doesn't happen overnight. It follows a long series of decisions we make about how we feel we're being treated. Resentment takes work. If we have it, it's because we earned it. The author John Bevere writes about resentment's mother: offense. He calls being offended "taking Satan's bait." It's always a choice we make. Just like no one can make us angry, so no one can offend us. We take offense. Christ gives us the ability to reject it and take only what He offers us instead. This is our daily experience of His advent; this is our daily bread.

PRAYER: Lord, I am humbled by all the offense You bore during Your life on earth. From conception, You were not treated fairly, yet resentment never had its way with or in You. You mastered it in Yourself. With this same power, You can master it in us. We invite You in for just this holy purpose. Cut the chains. Stop any behaviors we indulge in due to resentment. Replace it with overwhelming gratitude, a gratitude that extends to even the harshest trials of this life, knowing that You are with us.

TOMORROW: Advent and Packaging